The silent burnout and the burgeoning health crisis among medical sales representatives in India

Debasis Basu; Soutri Ghosh; Surajeet Kumar  Patra; Soubhik Sinhababu; Mukti Sadhan Nath; Nitin Gandhi; Nidhi Singh

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20252871

Authors

Debasis Basu METTA Care Clinic, Kolkata, India
Soutri Ghosh METTA Care Clinic, Kolkata, India
Surajeet Kumar Patra Department of Diabetology, Dr Surajeet Patra's Diabetes Clinic, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
Soubhik Sinhababu Department of Diabetology, Simlapal, Bankura, West Bengal, India
Mukti Sadhan Nath Azkka Pharmaceuticals, Kolkata, India
Nitin Gandhi Nucgnex Foundation, India
Nidhi Singh Oncoheal, Pune, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20252871

Keywords:

Medical representatives, Burnout, Occupational stress, Workplace wellness, Lifestyle disease

Abstract

Occupational burnout among medical representatives (MRs) has emerged as a pressing yet insufficiently recognized public health concern, especially in the wake of an escalating epidemic of lifestyle-related health conditions. MRs are consistently exposed to a unique and complex blend of occupational pressures, which include ambitious performance expectations, toxic leadership behaviors, physical fatigue, digital saturation, and the transference of personal life stress into the workplace. Despite being the vital link between the pharmaceutical industry and medical practitioners, these individuals often experience emotional exhaustion, a sense of detachment, and a decline in personal efficacy. The World Health Organization (WHO) has rightly categorized burnout as an occupational phenomenon with adverse effects not only on human health but also on organizational productivity and the broader healthcare ecosystem. This paper takes a deep dive into the diverse and multifactorial origins of MR burnout and proposes a comprehensive and evidence-informed framework for intervention. Suggested strategies encompass a range of organizational changes such as flexible working conditions, structured wellness initiatives, ergonomic support mechanisms, financial literacy programs, and leadership development. Special importance is attributed to preventive health education, proper nutrition, awareness around mental well-being, and personalized health management models that go far beyond the conventional "master health check-up" routines.

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